A TECHNIQUE DRIVEN Blog dedicated to mastery of surface design techniques. First we dye, overdye, paint, stitch, resist, tie, fold, silk screen, stamp, thermofax, batik, bejewel, stretch, shrink, sprinkle, Smooch, fuse, slice, dice, AND then we set it on fire using a variety of heat tools.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Distressed Doors Tutorial: Paint Effects on Patterned Fabrics I

Having seenthe
effect of paint on plain fabrics, now try them on patterned material based on
photos and sketches of a door set in a crumbling whitewashedwall.

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The fabrics used here include a mono-print ‘door’ set
in a doorframe of matching hand dyed fabric with a thin ‘shadow’ of black and
blue batik. The ‘wall’ fabric is an African waxprint- this might seem an
unlikely choice but once painted, it will give a livelier appearance than a
more conventional print or plain fabric. Make up sandwich with low loft wadding
and backing and secure with safety pins.

One of the problems with using highly patterned fabrics
is marking out patterns for stitching. Thin masking tape (5mm width or similar)
works very well but be careful not to stitch through it as it can gum up
machine needles.

Simplified stitching patterns for the wall area can be
obtained by drawing round the main shapes on a photograph with a felt tip or
marking pen.

Use free machine quilting to emphasise the woodgrain
patterns on the door and the spaces between the stones.Leave some areas un-quilted

Once stitching is complete, trim off excess wadding and
backing and mount the quilt securely on a drawing boardwith masking tape ensuring it has a taut
surface.